Stormwater University Workshops and Trainings

Stormwater University workshops help citizens and property managers save money, protect water quality, and reduce flooding through proper maintenance of private stormwater systems. These workshops will help owners maintain facilities in your stormwater system to make sure they perform properly. By following these procedures, you will help safeguard water quality in your watershed and keep maintenance costs low by detecting problems early. Taking steps to prevent pollution can help businesses and individuals save money and protect water quality.

Each workshop includes a presentation, tour, and question and answer session. Any citizen or stormwater facility manager interested in maintaining their stormwater system is encouraged to attend. All sessions begin at 10am. At 1:00 there will be a field trip to a nearby site to view stormwater best management practices in action. Workshops are free, but an RSVP is requested. Lunch is provided for registered participants.

Workshop Highlights:

  • Learn why stormwater pollution is a problem.
  • The difference between stormwater and wastewater will be explained.
  • Easy steps to prevent pollution will be offered.
  • Information about reporting spills.
  • We will visit a nearby site to view these practices in action.

Boat Repair Pollution Prevention Workshops

  • October 3: the Lighthouse Building in La Conner (539 N. 3rd Street, La Conner)
  • October 10: the Anacortes Public Library (1220 10th Street, Anacortes)
  • October 17: Blaine Boating Center (Conference Room at Blaine Marina)
  • October 24: Squalicum Marina, Squalicum Boathouse (Zuanich Point Park, Bellingham)

Hull cleaning and boat washing commonly introduce soft toxic paints and soaps into the water. Soft paints commonly contain copper, which is toxic to salmon and aquatic life. Soaps may add nutrients that promote algae and plant growth, which can lead to decreasing the amount of oxygen available to fish and other aquatic animals. Boaters can take preventative steps so they have no negative impacts to waters. The shores, wetlands and waters of Puget Sound belong to all of us. Protecting our environment demands the responsibility of proper stewardship. When you see harm being done to Puget Sound, remember this is where you live – take it personally and get involved. A clean and healthy Sound is all of ours to keep.

Equipment Rental Pollution Prevention Workshops

Mobile Cleaning Pollution Prevention Workshops

  • Dec. 5: Whatcom Transit Authority Maintenance Facility, Bellingham (4111 Bakerview Spur Road)
  • Dec. 13, City of Burlington Library, Burlington (820 E. Washington Ave.)

Vehicle Washing and Detailing Pollution Prevention Workshops

Stormwater Facility Maintenance Training

More Information

To register contact the environmental educator, Public Works Natural Resources at stormwatert@cob.org or 778-7970

Resources